NATIONWIDE CRASH INJURES AT LEAST 33

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. 
At least 33 fans were injured Saturday during a NASCAR race when a car sailed into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, and large chunks of debris — including a tire — flew into the grandstands. No fatalities were reported from the accident on the last lap of the Nationwide Series race.

Tony Stewart won for the 19th time at Daytona and seventh time in the last nine season-opening Nationwide races, but was in no mood to celebrate as emergency workers tended to injured fans and ambulance sirens wailed.

“The important thing is what is going on the front stretch right now,” said Stewart. “We’ve always known, and since racing started, this is a dangerous sport. But it’s hard. We assume that risk, but it’s hard when the fans get caught up in it.”

The crash began as the field closed in on the finish line, and rookie Kyle Larson’s car came upon the wreck and went airborne into the fence that separates the track from the seats.

Large chunks of Larson’s car landed in the grandstands, and one of his tires appeared to fly over the fence and land midway up the lower section. The car itself had its entire front end sheared off, with the burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence.

Speedway President Joie Chitwood said 14 fans were treated on site, and 14 others were taken to hospitals. Local officials said 19 fans were taken to neighboring hospitals, including two who were in critical condition but were later upgraded to stable.